Bellator 255 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview – Pitbull vs Sanchez 2

• Patricio Pitbull looks to defend his featherweight title against Emmanuel Sanchez
• The winner of the main event faces AJ McKee in the finals of the featherweight grand prix
• See the odds, picks, and betting preview for the full Bellator 255 main card, below

Bellator is back for their first event of 2021 and they are back in their bubble at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, which goes down on Friday, April 2. In the main event, Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion, Patricio Pitbull looks to defend his featherweight belt in the semifinals of the featherweight grand prix against Emmanuel Sanchez. The co-main event sees Neiman Gracie take on Jason Jackson at welterweight.

Bellator 255 airs live on Showtime on April 2, 2021, at 9 PM EST.

Get the odds at DraftKings.

Bellator 255 Odds

All odds as of Mar. 30

Can Sanchez Exact His Revenge?

Patricio Pitbull and Emmanuel Sanchez first met back in November of 2018 where Pitbull won a decision to defend his featherweight title. Since the fight, Sanchez has wanted a rematch and gets it in the semifinals of the Bellator featherweight grand prix.

Pitbull & Sanchez Recent Fights

This is a very intriguing matchup as Sanchez has looked phenomenal since the loss to Pitbull, but the champ-champ has looked unbeatable and is one of the best fighters in the world.

In the fight, I expect it to be a kickboxing fight as both Pitbull and Sanchez are known for their striking. Yet, the champ has used his grappling where needed and could look for some takedowns at some point in the fight.

Pitbull vs Sanchez Stats

Although Pitbull has a very small reach for the featherweight division – and the lightweight division when he fights there – he is such a good striker and has good movement he finds his way inside. I do expect Sanchez to try and stick his jab early on and keep Pitbull at bay. However, the champ will eventually find a way to get inside and land heavy shots and start to take over the fight with his pace, pressure, and heavy shots.

I don’t think Pitbull will be able to finish Sanchez as he is very durable, but I think the champ defends his belt with ease, likely winning four rounds. It will also set up a massive fight against AJ McKee in the finals later this year.

Pick: Patricio Pitbull (-250)

Does The Winner Earn A Title Shot?

Neiman Gracie vs. Jason Jackson is perfect matchmaking for Bellator’s welterweight division as they are two of the more promising young contenders who both seem destined to fight for gold eventually.

Gracie & Jackson Recent Fights

This is a phenomenal fight as Gracie is a high-level grappler while Jackson is very underrated and is a good striker with underrated grappling. Since losing to Kyle Stewart due to an ankle injury on the Contender Series he has gone 6-1 in his last seven, while Gracie rebounded very nicely after his first career loss.

In the fight, I do expect Gracie to be able to control where this fight takes place as he will use his striking to get into range and take Jackson down and look to get the submission. I don’t think Gracie can get the sub, but I do like him to win the fight by using his grappling to win rounds. Gracie has solid value at -121 in the Bellator 255 odds at DraftKings.

Pick: Neiman Gracie (-121)

Other Bellator 255 Odds & Picks:

1. Alejandra Lara (-167): It’s good to see Watanabe in Bellator, but she hasn’t fought the highest level of competition, so I like Lara to mix in her grappling, and striking to win a decision.
2. Usman Nurmagomedov (-770): Nurmagomedov is the cousin of Khabib and will use his grappling to take Hamel down and submit him.
3. Tyrell Fortune (-715): Fortune should get a first-round KO, however, I wouldn’t bet -715 on a heavyweight fight.